Ausar Thompson’s All-Around Brilliance Lifts Pistons Past Celtics
It’s becoming a familiar sight for Detroit Pistons fans — Ausar Thompson taking over games when it matters most. On Sunday night, in a hard-fought 119–113 victory over the Boston Celtics, the 22-year-old forward once again proved why he’s quickly becoming one of the most complete young players in the league.
What stood out wasn’t just his stats — though those were impressive enough. Thompson finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, and posted a +15 rating in the six-point win. But it was how he delivered those numbers that had everyone talking.
In the final three minutes, with Boston threatening to erase the Pistons’ lead, Thompson made three crucial plays — all sparked by his relentless effort on the offensive glass. First came a powerful putback dunk that electrified the home crowd. Then, a tip-in layup to extend the lead. And finally, another offensive rebound that turned into a quick assist to Tobias Harris for a key bucket that pushed the game to a comfortable three-possession margin.
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None of it was scripted. There wasn’t a drawn-up play or a lucky bounce — just pure effort, timing, and instincts. At 6-foot-6, Thompson has already built a reputation as one of the best rebounders for his size, and Sunday’s performance was another reminder of that.
Through the Pistons’ first three games, Thompson has averaged 17 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and two combined blocks and steals while shooting nearly 54% from the field. He’s scored in double figures in every outing so far, and his aggressiveness on both ends has given Detroit a new level of energy.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Thompson’s versatility after the win, saying, “He can do it in so many different ways. He’s not one-dimensional as an offensive player. When he makes plays — whether it’s cutting, rebounding, or attacking the paint — it lifts our entire offense.”
What makes Thompson’s emergence even more impressive is the context. Just last season, he was returning from a serious blood clot issue that ended his rookie campaign early. The team kept him on a minutes restriction for most of the year, easing him back into action. But this season, with Jaden Ivey sidelined following knee surgery, Thompson has been handed a larger role — and he’s thriving.
His athleticism, improved ball-handling, and decision-making have stood out, particularly during Sunday’s comeback. After Detroit fell behind by 17 points in the first quarter, Thompson helped ignite a surge alongside the second unit, hustling for loose balls and setting up open looks for teammates.
After the game, Thompson summed it up perfectly: “I definitely feel like I’m in a really good place. My teammates and coaches believe in me, and when I play aggressive, that’s when I’m at my best.”
If this early stretch is any indication, Ausar Thompson isn’t just a rising star — he’s quickly becoming the heartbeat of this Pistons team.
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